HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-1994 special
CITY OF AUBURN
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES
NOVEMBER 22, 1994
5:30 p.m.
The Auburn City Council 1995 Budget Workshop convened in the Council Work Area
located in the Mayor's Office at 5:30 p.m.
Attendance
Those in attendance included Mayor Charles A. Booth and the following
Councilmembers; Jeanne Barber, Pat Burns, Stacey Brothers, Trish Borden, Don Kurle
and Rich Wagner. Councilmember Haugen arrived at 6:00 p.m. Staff members in
attendance included Public Works Director Frank Currie, Finance Director Victor
Thompson, Parks & Recreation Director Len Chapman, Planning Director Paul Krauss,
Senior Planner AI Hicks, Airport Manager John Anderson, Acting City Attorney Michael
Reynolds, Assistant City Attorney Judith Ausman, Personnel Director Brenda Kennedy,
Police Chief Dave Purdy, Fire Chief Bob Johnson, Budget Analyst Alice Strand, and
Deputy City Clerk Gayle Butcher.
Summary
The purpose of the budget workshop was to conduct a work session where Department
Heads could make a presentation and answer any questions with regard to the
proposed 1995 Budget for the City of Auburn. Finance Director Vic Thompson
presented an overview to the Council and City staff on the 1995 Budget. He indicated
the budget has a Tier 1 and Tier 2 program improvement plan to accommodate the
public services that will be impacted due to the opening of the Supermall, WalMart, and
possibly the racetrack. He further noted the budget is based on cautious growth, and
lays the groundwork for further increasing public services if sufficient revenues
develop. Mr. Thompson also briefed the Council and City staff on revenue trends,
General Fund expenditures, significant capital project costs, and proprietary funds. He
indicated he would like to begin the process of incorporating large Fire Department
equipment into an Equipment Rental Fund, or sinking fund, so that funds are set aside
for regular replacement of such vehicles. Mr. Thompson also presented an overview of
the Finance Department's proposed budget. He highlighted the personal computer
upgrade and replacement program.
Parks and Recreation Director Len Chapman presented his department's proposed
budget for 1995. He presented an overview of his six divisions and highlighted the
1995 planned activities.
Acting City Attorney Mike Reynolds presented the proposed 1995 budget for the Legal
Department noting the program improvement for an additional prosecutor.
City Council Workshop Minutes
November 22, 1994
Page NO.2
Personnel Director Brenda Kennedy presented the proposed 1995 budget for the
Personnel Department. She highlighted the needs of the Municipal Court as well as
computer software specifically designed for the needs of a personnel department.
Fire Chief Bob Johnson presented the Fire Department's proposed 1995 budget. He
explained there was a clerical error in the 1994 budget, and as a result, it may appear
there's quite a difference in his proposed 1995 budget. He described the need to
replace large equipment and the costs of Valley Comm participation as well as the
possible impacts of a third fire station site. Chief Johnson particularly highlighted the
process of selecting a possible third fire station site. He noted that with the demand for
public safety services increasing due to the Supermall opening, a third fire station site
is necessary to maintain response time standards.
Councilmember Burns expressed support for a pro rata, or sinking, fund approach in
preparing for replacement of large Fire vehicles.
Chief Johnson further highlighted the status of the City's present five engines.
The work session recessed for 5-minutes at 7: 1 0 PM.
The work session reconvened at 7: 15 PM.
Chief Purdy presented the proposed 1995 Budget for the Police Department. Chief
Purdy highlighted the computer upgrade plans for his department.
Councilmember Brothers asked Finance Director Vic Thompson if a separate line item
for computer purchasing could be devised.
Councilmember Burns asked Chief Purdy about the mobile data terminal program, and
Chief Purdy indicated that to fully equip the police vehicles it would require an
additional 7 MDT's, and that the budget did not include those additional units; the
priority was the records system replacement.
Public Works Director Currie gave an overview of his department and cost centers,
particularly highlighting professional services related to public works projects.
Councilmember Wagner requested that a pavement management program keep better
track of slurry seal projects, signs, etc.
Public Works Director Currie highlighted the Water and Sewer budgets and how water
conservation impacts operating costs.
Councilmember Haugen asked whether high water and sewer service users would
receive higher rates, and Director Currie responded that a Cost of Service and Cost of
Rate Study is being prepared.
City Council Workshop Minutes
November 22, 1994
Page NO.3
Planning Director Paul Krauss presented an overview of his department and 1995
proposed budget needs. He particularly discussed a parking plan being developed to
take a pro-active position for major development. Airport Manager John Anderson
briefed the Council and City staff on the needs for airport expansion, hangar repairs,
and bringing the airport location on-line with the City's computer network.
Councilmember Brothers asked for clarification of the airport expansion. Mr. Anderson
responded that a request for proposal would be done for a new multi-purpose building.
Mr. Krauss also added it is his desire to have people voice their opinions on this
project. Mr. Anderson also explained the rate structure for hangar and tie down rentals.
Councilmember Kurle expressed some concern with General Fund revenues as noted
on page 57 of the Preliminary Budget. He asked Finance Director Vic Thompson to
clarify why gambling, business permits and federal grants may have decreased.
Mayor Booth concluded the departmental reports by noting his budget has a decrease
in travel expenditures and the salary line item was decreased due to the restructuring
of the administrative assistant position to a secretary pay grade.
Councilmember Burns asked for Council consensus that an additional $8,000 be
allocated to social programs, including Children's Home Society Families First, King
County Sexual Assault Resource Center, and $32,000 be added to the Police
Department's budget for approximately 7 mobile data terminals to complete computer
modernization. Councilmember Burns also asked for consensus that the Preliminary
Budget with the proposed supplement be presented at the next City Council meeting for
adoption consideration. Councilmember Brothers noted there was consensus among
the Council Members and that a vote of the Council Members would occur at the
December 5, 1995 Council meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Charles A. Booth, Mayor
Gayle Butcher, Deputy City Clerk
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